Capitola is looking at joining more the 70 other communities in California that have included electronic cigarette regulations in their smoking laws.

Capitola city leaders are holding a public hearing Thursday night on the proposal.

Advertisement

Electronic cigarettes are battery-powered devices shaped like a cigarette that contain a nicotine liquid that is vaporized and inhaled, called vaping.

Carrie Lohrain of San Jose isn't bothered by e-cigarettes.

"It hasn't been much of a health threat. It doesn't smell like anything, it doesn't bother the people next to you, I don't think it needs to be regulated."

"Ithink you should be able to vape anywhere you want to. It's no big deal," Casey Mallough of Gilroy said.

Televised public service announcements note the hazards of e-cigarettes, and the California Department of Public Health released a report saying e-cigarettes emit cancer-causing chemicals and get users hooked on nicotine.

"First of all, there's no scientific evidence to support the safe use of these products. There's no scientific evidence to support they're an effective satiation tool," said Andrea Silva Solano, Santa Cruz County Senior Health Educator.

State health officials acknowledge that more research needs to be done to determine the immediate and long-term health effects of exposure.

Smoking cigarettes is already prohibited on Capitola beaches, the wharf, and other public places.

"That'll be an amendment to that ordinance just clarifying that e cigarettes are within the definition and regulations set forth in that chapter," Capitola City Attorney John Barisone said.

Watsonville, Scotts Valley and Santa Cruz have already passed regulations that prohibit electronic cigarettes in public places and restaurants.

Employees at Green Vapors, a Santa Cruz outlet that caters exclusively to electronic smoking products, said the law has not hurt sales there.

"It's gone up. No change versus from the actual law," said Jonah Gefkey.